Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are gearing up for their annual bicycle and pedestrian traffic counts, and they need volunteers to help.

St. Paul will conduct its count from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 with a rain date scheduled for Sept. 11. Minneapolis will do its count over three days, 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 9-11.

Public Works departments in both cities say the counts are essential to understand the impact of non-motorized traffic on streets, sidewalks and trails. Accurate counts allow officials to understand trends and decide where to make infrastructure investments.It also allows them to know where people are biking and walking.

Counters will be deployed throughout both cities. To volunteer in Minneapolis, send an email to the city's bicycle planner Simon Blenski at simon.blenski@minneapolismn.gov. In St. Paul, contact Luke Hanson at luke.hanson@ci.stpaul.mn.us.